Community Center

Security Alerts

What you need to know about the Equifax data breach

Equifax, one of the major credit reporting agencies, recently announced that it experienced a serious data breach from mid-May through July 2017. The personally identifiable information accessed included individual names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, drivers’ license numbers, and credit card numbers. For more information, please click on the following link: Equifax Breach.

Recent Automated Telephone Scam

Several Banks in and around northeast Iowa have reported their customers have received calls from someone stating that their debit card had been blocked and that they needed to press 1 to reactivate. From there the scammer is requesting the member provide their card number and PIN. Please remember that Security State Bank and SHAZAM will NEVER ask for a full PAN or a PIN if we are calling you directly. If you receive a fraudulent telephone call, please hang up and call us immediately. Security State Bank will inform SHAZAM.

Telephone Scam

Several Banks in and around northeast Iowa have reported their customers have received calls from someone stating that their debit card had been blocked and that they needed to press 2 to be connected to the 24 hour help line. From there the scammer is requesting the member provide their card number and PIN to “unblock” the card. Please remember that Security State Bank and SHAZAM will NEVER ask for a full PAN or a PIN if we are calling you directly. If you receive a fraudulent telephone call, please call us immediately. Security State Bank will inform SHAZAM.

Debit Card Scam

Security State Bank is alerting customers of a debit card scam involving cell phone customers in this area. Several cell phone customers have received a text message pertaining to their debit card. The message indicates that there is a problem with the debit card and to please click on the link provided. By clicking the link, it may prompt you to enter or say your debit card number, pin number, and/or account number. By providing this information to the scammer, they will be able to obtain information to use your debit card and account.

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK OR DISCLOSE YOUR DEBIT

CARD OR ACCOUNT INFORMATION TO ANYONE!

Fraudulent Telephone Calls Claiming to be from SHAZAM

ALERT -SHAZAM is aware of an issue where some of their financial institutions’ cardholders are receiving fraudulent telephone calls from someone claiming to be from SHAZAM, Inc. During the telephone call, the fraudster asks the cardholder for personal information, such as a primary account number (PAN) and PIN. Please remember that Security State Bank and SHAZAM will NEVER ask for a full PAN or a PIN if we are calling you directly. If you receive a fraudulent telephone call, please call us immediately. Security State Bank will inform SHAZAM.

Credit Card Scam

ALERT – Below is a scenario being played out in the Stronghurst, Illinois area, which is near Burlington, Iowa. Calls to customers came on cell phones and calls were on credit cards and debit cards. Some calls were automated and some were actual people. Caller ID for the customers showed many different numbers. If you called the numbers back you either received a beeping or an out of service number. The numbers were checked and some were from California or the east coast.

On the credit card they would say that they were from card services and you have been selected for a new lower interest rate. In order to get your new rate you need to key in your card number and expiration date.

On the debit card they are saying that the card was compromised or deactivated. The automated service would ask that they verify their information in order to reactivate their card. It asked for them to enter their card number and PIN. In some cases they would get a live person that would transfer them to their security area.

Recent Telephone Scam

Banks in Allamakee, Winneshiek and Fayette Counties have had several debit card holders who say they’ve received an automated call from a security company asking for their debit card number. These calls are part of a scam.

If you receive a call like this, please contact us immediately.

Fraudulent E-Mails Claiming to Be From the FDIC

E-mails fraudulently claiming to be from the FDIC are attempting to trick recipients into installing unknown software on personal computers. These e-mails falsely indicate that recipients should download and open a “personal FDIC insurance file” to check their deposit insurance coverage. The “insurance file” may actually be a form of spyware or malicious code and may collect personal or confidential information.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording “check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage.” The e-mails state: “You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets.”

These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Debit Card Scam

Security State Bank is alerting customers of a debit card scam involving cell phone customers in this area. Several cell phone customers have received a text message pertaining to their debit card. The message indicates that there is a problem with the debit card and to please call the number provided. By calling this number, it may prompt you to enter or say your debit card number, pin number, and/or account number. By providing this information to the scammer, they will be able to obtain information to use your debit card and account.

DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER OR DISCLOSE YOUR DEBIT

CARD OR ACCOUNT INFORMATION TO ANYONE!

Jury Duty Telephone Scam

Security State Bank is alerting customers of a telephone scam where a caller appears to be a representative of the court system questioning why you did not report for jury duty as required. The caller’s tone is stern and alludes to an arrest warrant being issued for failure to report for jury duty. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your date of birth and Social Security number so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. If you provide your personal information to the caller, your identity has been stolen. This type of scam is effective because the caller uses intimidation tactics to bully people into providing their personal information over the telephone.

Scammers Target Economic Stimulus Payment Recipients

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, scammers are targeting people who are expecting to receive economic stimulus payments from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) this month. Targets of the scam are receiving email messages that send them to a phony SSA website where they are asked to supply their SSNs, bank account numbers and other information to receive their payments. SSA spokesperson Mark Hinkle says recipients do not need to take any action to receive their payments; they will be mailed or deposited into bank accounts automatically.

Fraud Prevention Tips

Never provide a caller with your personal information such as your date of birth or Social Security number

Do not give in to bullying or intimidation tactics from the caller.

Report any suspicious calls to local authorities, especially those calls where someone requests your personal information over the telephone and appears to be using intimidation tactics as a means to acquire that information.

Identity Theft

Security State Bank is vigilant in helping our customers in protecting their own personal information. Customers can do the following:

Never share your personal login ID, password, PIN, or account number with anyone.

Review bank statements each month for mistakes or unfamiliar charges. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately to the financial institution.

Use direct deposit.

Don’t use PINs or other passwords that are easy to guess. Also change your passwords regularly.

Be aware of their surroundings. Identity thieves can use a camera cell phone to photograph credit or ATM card numbers while in a store. They should look around to ensure no one is shoulder surfing by watching from nearby for a personal identification number, and they shouldn’t give a credit card number aloud in public places with others around.

Don’t let anyone swipe your card twice without giving you a transaction cancelled receipt for the first transaction.

The customers should know when their bank or credit card statements arrive in the mail, as a missing or late statement can be a warning sign. If you know you have a bill due and you haven’t seen the bill, call the issuer to investigate.

Obtain copies of your credit report periodically from each of the three major reporting agencies to be sure that they are accurate. Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union are required to provide you with one free credit report per year.

Security State Bank WILL NEVER initiate a request for sensitive information from you such as your social security number, personal login ID, password, PIN or account number nor ask you to verify account information via email.

Victims of Identity Theft

When your identity gets stolen, it can be a horrendous experience. Below are some steps to get you life back on track.

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus and a request a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and no new credit be granted without your approval.

Close the account(s) you think could be affected.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338. When you file with the FTC you are providing information to help law enforcement official track down thieves.

File a report with the local police department. By filing a report, along with a complaint to the FTC, can give you certain protections to ensure your identity can be protected and restored.

For security reasons your request should not contain confidential information such as your social security number, PIN, or account number(s).

Privacy Policy

Regardless of changes in technology and information, Security State Bank remains committed to the principles of customer privacy. We understand that when a customer opens an account or applies for a loan with us, we are required by law to protect the confidentiality of that information. Security State Bank is committed to complying fully with the laws and regulations governing customer information privacy, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Right to Financial Privacy Act.

We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and accuracy of that information, and to using the information in manners consistent with the confidence our customers have shown in us. We will uphold both the letter and spirit of the federal and state laws addressing information confidentiality that protect our customers’ financial privacy. We have outlined that commitment in the attached Customer Privacy Statement. This Privacy Policy and Customer Privacy Statement were adopted by the Board of Directors of Security State Bank.

Security State Bank Customer Privacy Statement

Privacy Policy
Regardless of changes in technology and information, Security State Bank remains committed to the principles of customer privacy. We understand that when you open an account or apply for a loan with us we ask you to provide us with private financial and personal information.

We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and accuracy of that information, and to using the information in manners consistent with the confidence you have shown us. We will uphold both the letter and spirit of the federal and state laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Right to Financial Privacy Act. This Customer Privacy Statement outlines our commitment to your financial privacy.

Information Collection
When you become a customer of Security State Bank, it is necessary for us to collect and maintain information about you for a variety of reasons. We do this so that we can better understand your unique financial needs. With this information we can provide you with the products and services that you need and deserve. However, your privacy is considered in all aspects of our business.
We also use our customer information to stay on the leading edge of financial service innovation. When we understand how you manage your finances, we can create new products and improve current ones. Our goal is to provide you with the financial management tools you need to achieve your financial goals.

Sometimes we gather information from our customers because we are required to by laws and banking regulations. For example, federal regulations require us to obtain your taxpayer identification number (usually your Social Security number) whenever you open an account that pays interest.

One of the most important reasons we collect and maintain customer information is actually to maintain your privacy and security of your accounts at our bank. Keeping your financial information secure is one of our most important responsibilities. The more we know about you, the more tools we have to prevent someone from impersonating you to obtain access to your account information or assets.

Employee Access
We value your trust and handle your information with care. To ensure we keep your trust, our employees may not use confidential information acquired in the course of employment regarding our customers or prospective customers except solely to perform their duties as employees of Security State Bank. Our employees access information about you when needed to maintain your accounts and otherwise meet your needs. We safeguard information according to established security standards and procedures, and we continually assess new technology for protecting information. Our employees are trained to understand and comply with these information principles.

Accuracy of Information
Keeping your account information accurate and up to date is very important. If you ever find that our records are incomplete, inaccurate or not current, please call the telephone number provided on your account statement. We will correct the information as quickly as possible.

How and Why Information is Shared
You can rest assured that we limit who receives information and what type of information is shared. We share information only for legitimate business purposes, with the goal of bringing you greater convenience and more choices.

When Security State Bank in a Fiduciary Capacity
When we serve in a legally recognized fiduciary capacity, such as a trustee of a trust or the personal representative of an estate, no customer information arising from the fiduciary relationship is shared with other divisions or other legal entities within the Security State Bank organization without the express consent of the customer. Fiduciary relationships by law require an even higher degree of confidentiality and privacy than general banking relationships.

Sharing Information with Companies That Work for Us
To assist us in offering you services, we may occasionally share information with outside companies that work for us. Such companies might, for example, assist us in offering you certain products and services. These companies act on our behalf and are obligated to keep the information that we provide to them confidential. We do not sell lists of our customer information to parties, including government agencies for solicitation, marketing or similar purposes.

Sharing Customer Information with Others
You have our assurance that we only share customer information with those outside the Security State Bank family in a manner as lawfully permitted or required. However, you should be aware that there may be occasions where we are legally required to disclose information about you, such as in response to a subpoena, to prevent fraud, or to comply with a governmental agency or federal regulator. As other financial institutions customarily do, we may also share information about you and your accounts with reputable credit reporting agencies as authorized under federal law

Sometimes it may be necessary to share limited customer information in order to complete a transaction that you have initiated with our bank. We may also provide information when you have specifically requested or authorized the release of information.

Protection of Information
Security State Bank is committed to the security of your financial and personal information. All of our operational and data processing systems are in a secure environment that protects your account information from unauthorized third party access. We maintain and grant access to these systems only in accordance with internal security policies and standards.

Internet Privacy
Security State Bank is very concerned about your Internet privacy. That is why Security State Bank advises customers to not include personal information in any correspondence delivered to us by e-mail. On the way from your computer to us, your e-mail message passes through a number of systems. Someone with the knowledge of where, when and how to do it-and the time to do it-could intercept your message in route to us.

We reserve the right to change this policy at any time by posting a new privacy policy. We hope you enjoy your visit to Security State Bank’s Web page. Please let us know how we may serve you further.

For more information or questions regarding this policy, contact the bank at: